UKCS Chalk – Are the Challenges Worth Overcoming?
The DTI organised a workshop in Aberdeen on 23 November 2005 to promote the development and further exploration of the Central North Sea Chalk play. 65 people attended what was an over-subscribed event. Here Jane Tomkinson (jane.tompkinson@dti.gsi.gov.uk) and Peter Rowe (peter.rowe@dti.gsi.gov.uk), both from the DTI in Aberdeen reflect on the day.
44% Undeveloped
The scene was set at the beginning of the day with a summary of the potential in the UKCS chalk play. With an estimated 44% of the discovered resource still undeveloped, and an un-risked exploration potential thought to be in the region of 3 billion barrels in-place any challenges in chalk development are well worth overcoming. Developments were shown to be viable even at very low rock quality.
Map showing UKCS Chalk fields, discoveries and
shows
Chart showing UKCS Chalk potential
A number of excellent presentations and posters covered a huge range of subjects from geology to petroleum engineering. There were descriptions of the Pierce, Curlew C, Affleck, Orion, Machar, Halfdan, Kraka and South Arne chalk developments, descriptions of stimulation options for chalk wells, together with comparisons of UKCS chalk potential with that in Denmark and Norway.
Lively Debate
To prevent post-lunch fatigue the meal was followed by an interactive breakout session. A lively debate ensued in the groups to identify challenges and solutions in Chalk exploration and development. The results of this are presented below.
Feedback at the end of the day was positive and, it is hoped that the interest created will lead to a new enthusiasm for chalk exploration and development.
The question at the beginning of the day was “Are the challenges worth overcoming?” At the end of the day the answer for most was “YES!”
Most of the presentations and posters presented at the workshop are available from the following link: http://www.og-mrp.com/dissem_dti.html.